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Costal EV mod problem, maybe?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by mygen2, Jun 5, 2012.

  1. mygen2

    mygen2 Junior Member

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    I recently installed the costal EV mod on my 2008 gen2 pkg2. I am not sure if I did not do part of the install correctly or if it's faulty costal part or normal operation? I am hoping there are some here that know more about this mod and how it runs on yours.
    Here is my problem. When I hold the cancel button, there is no notification of any kind, no beeps or anything, but it works, I run in EV mode until the batt goes down or if I exceed 34, then I hear 3 beeps and kicks me out of EV mode. If I try to enter EV mode while going faster than 34 or if batt is low, I hear 3 beeps and see failure notification on the MFD. Here is the problem or weird part, if I get kicked out of EV mode, I can't re-enter EV mode with out powering car off and back on again. Even if good batt and not moving. I hold the cancel and i get no notifications like before, but it doesnt work and the engine kicks in abd when that happens I do not get the 3 beeps that getting kicked out of EV mode, like what happens when indeed in ev mode. I hold the cancel, I just don't get any notifications of any kind if successful of entering EV mode or not? Is this normal? Anyone have this problem before? Have I messed up the install or what?
    Costal tech support has not been any help at all and couldn't answer the question, they told me to take it to the Toyota dealer!? Lol
     
  2. FirstFlight

    FirstFlight Member

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    What notification do you get on the MFD?
    The only way I know of to get an indication on the MFD is to be in a screen other than the main screen. Switching screens back to the main screen means you've successfully entered EV mode.
    Now that's funny. Did you get that in writing? They told you to take it back to a Toyota dealer, which, 1. It's a mod by a third party company - enough said. 2. It's a mod that isn't even supposed to be on American Prius'. :confused:
     
  3. mygen2

    mygen2 Junior Member

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    It was something like "EV mode not available" ill be driving here later today and double check that message

    I had thought that if successful at entering EV mode, there would be 1 beep. I don't get any beeps or any other kind of notifications at all. But yeah as far as I was aware there was no MFD notifications, I was surprised to see the error notification on the MFD.

    hahaha! Yeah I thought that was too! I was pretty shocked at that reply, I didn't expect something like that. I did get in in writing via the email here is a copy of the answer from Coastal to the question I asked here

    The EV mode kit that we sell simply allows you to access the EV software that is already in your Prius. Every Prius has EV mode software built into the vehicles computer; however, in US vehicles, they have removed the ability to access this software. The Prius' computer is designed to determine the best use of the EV mode in real time based on battery life, speed, driving habits, mpg averages, etc. and is ALL controlled by the Toyota's computer itself, not the Coastal EV mode kit. The car at times, based on these determining factors, may have objection to enabling the EV mode in the vehicle and may temporarily queue your request to enable the EV mode. Basically all the factors that allow for EV mode have to be right. If it does not respond right away, it is not ignoring you, but has queued your request for EV mode. It will enable as soon as conditions are right. For any more info regarding the Toyota's EV software, you may want to contact a Toyota specialist or your local dealership. Thanks and have a nice day!

    --
    Ransom
    Coastal Electronics
    [email protected]
    www.CoastalEtech.com
    1-800-507-2234
     
  4. FirstFlight

    FirstFlight Member

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    While I can't speak for Coastal, I think what they are saying is double check and make sure the conditions are being met to enter EV.
    I would advise against using the EV button to drain the HV battery down to two bars. It will shorten the life of the battery.

    Do you have a scangauge?
     
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  5. dianeinreno

    dianeinreno Member

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    1. When the display is showing one bars the HV battery is still at 40% of charge.

    2. I have gone to two bars several times on long uphill roads. The Prius is designed to go down to the purple range before the ICE goes into high output and places a priority on charging the battery back up. If two bars shortened the life of your engine then Toyota could easily have made the ICE cut in much earlier so I kind of doubt that the two bar thing is all that bad.

    3. The EV mode cuts out at 3 bars I believe (I have a mod in my '07)

    also to the O.P. -

    FWIW - my coastal EV mod that I installed a month or 2 ago in my '07 does not give me any indication of engaging other than a MFD screen switch so I think that behavior is normal.

    Also you have to be in a very specific set of circumstances for the Prius to go into battery mode - this was all explained in the coastal instructions that came with the mod most of which I forgot. I do remember that you have to have a certain number of bars showing (3 or 4 i think) and you must be below a certain speed (35 or so I vaguely recall) as well as a few other params - so if you try to reengage the mod at speed I think it likely that you are just not in the correct set of params under which the Prius is designed to work in golf-cart mode.

    I've played with the mod and can only get a mile and a half out of the car ( at 25) on battery power before the ICE kicks back in. The mod is really a show thing to impress friends and isn't useful for anything practical IMHO
     
  6. FirstFlight

    FirstFlight Member

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    Good luck with that.
     
  7. dianeinreno

    dianeinreno Member

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    Firstflight Do you have a link to a specific reliable source which says that the normal behavior of the Prius - to be able to go down to the purple - is a bad thing? I'd be interested in specific and reliable information rather than just an opinion.

    Until I get that all I know is that Toyota itself designed the vehicle to go down as low as 40% charge (one bar) s before the vehicle really ramps up the necessity of increasing that charge. In the three months I have had the vehicle I have seen two bars (purple) at least 4 times in mountainous terrain. If two bars were that detrimental to the battery as you claim, Toyota could easily have changed the software to keep the charge at any level that they chose. Considering that they are offering a 150,000 mile warranty on that battery (in California) it would certainly be in Toyota's best interest to have done that if what you say were the case.
     
  8. FirstFlight

    FirstFlight Member

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    Nope. I sure don't. What are you trying to prove? That continually going to two purple bars isn't a problem?
     
  9. mygen2

    mygen2 Junior Member

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    I was only curious too see just how far I could go before the computer would kick in the engine.
     
  10. mygen2

    mygen2 Junior Member

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    Yeah now after playing around with it here everything seems to be working ok.

    hehe yeah that is why I got it and Id have to agree